Retirement Planning

For most Americans, retirement security depends on accumulatingAssetsthrough workplace retirement plans and personal savings accounts. Two of the most widely used vehicles are employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) remain a cornerstone ofRetirement Planningin the United States. While many investors focus on choosing the right investments, some of the most expensive mistakes stem from administrative oversights and tax-rule violations rather than portfolio selection.

For millions of Americans, retirement planning starts with a simple question: should you prioritize a 401(k) or an IRA?

For self-employed professionals and owner-only businesses,Retirement Planningis often about more than tax deductions. Many entrepreneurs want greater control over how retirement assets are invested and managed.

Many investors looking beyond public markets eventually ask whether retirement funds can be invested in private companies. The answer is yes. A self-directed IRA can hold certain private company shares, but the opportunity comes with substantial regulatory and administrative responsibilities.

Many investors assume retirement savings must remain inside employer-selected funds or professionally managed portfolios. In reality, Americans have severalOptionsthat allow substantial control over retirement investments.

Many smallBusinessowners and self-employed professionals seek greater control over how their retirement savings are invested. While SEP IRAs are often associated with traditional brokerage investments, they can also be structured as self-directed accounts that provide access to a much broader range of assets.